Container



Aug. 23 me. J,S,TOMCZAK" u 2,479,592

CONTAINER Filed May 22; 1945 Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 4 Claims.

amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) This invention relates to containers and more particularly to closures for containers.

It is sometimes desirable to provide a cover, or closure, for a container which may readily be removed from the container. For example, many cases, such as those used for portable typewriters, have covers which are attached to the case by a hook and eye type hinge so that the cover may easily be removed from the container by first pivoting the cover upward and then sliding it to one side to disconnect the hook from the eye and permit removal of the cover from the container. Such a construction is relatively expensive and may not be warranted where an inexpensive container is sought. Furthermore, it may not always be practicable to both pivot and slide the cover to remove it from the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and effective closure for a container which may readily be removed from the container either by pivoting or by sliding the cover away from the container.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a container may be provided having a pair of spaced end walls connected by a base plate and a rear wall plate. A closure comprising a iiexible plate of substantially the same dimensions as the base plate and having flanges formed along the front and rear edges thereof to resiliently engage the front and rear edges respectively of the side plates is positioned on the upper side of the container and is removable from the container either by pivoting it upward from the container or by sliding it to either side of the container.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container having mounted thereon a closure constructed in accordance with this invention, the closure being slightly pivoted upward therefrom; and,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing however, the closure slid partially to one side of the container.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that a container is there illustrated which may be of box-like construction and have an elongated, rectangular base plate 5, to two opposed ends of which are attached rectangular end plates 6. These end plates extend upward therefrom at an angle of approximately 90 and a suitable plate 'I is fixed to their rear edges and to wall for the container. If desired, a front wall 8 may be mounted across the front of the container; however, in accordance with the present invention this is not necessary since the dimensions of the closure may be made such as to provide a satisfactory front wall, as will be hereinafter apparent.

In the case of a rectangular container as described, a closure for such a container would comprise, in accordance with this invention, a rectangular plate 9 of somewhat greater width than the base plate 5 but of substantially the same length and made of a resilient or flexible material. A rectangular portion I0, either integrally formed therewith or suitably attached thereto along the forward edge thereof, as viewed in these drawings, to form a flange, extends downwardly at an angle of approximately 90 from the plate 9 and is preferably made of sufficient length and depth to enclose the open portion of the front of the container. In order to retain the closure on the container and yet permit it to be readily removed therefrom either by pivoting it upward or by sliding it longitudinally relatively to the container, a rear rectangular portion or ange II, which may be integrally formed with the cover plate 9 or suitably ailixed thereto, extends downwardly from the rear edge of the cover plate to form an acute angle with the lower side of the cover plate. The cover plate is made somewhat wider as hereinbefore stated, than the front to rear dimensions of the base plate 5 so that the line of junction of the downwardly extending rear portion II of the cover plate 9 with the cover plate is slightly spaced from the rear of the container, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, to permit this the rear edge of the base plate 5 to form a rear 55 portion II to be bent slightly inward a sufficient distance so that the spacing between the lower edge of the fiange I I and the ange I0 is normally somewhat less than the width of the end walls 6.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when this closure is assembled on the container, the rear portion I I cooperates with the front portion Ill of the plate 9 to engage the rear wall 'I and the front edges of the side walls E respectively and being flexible provides, in effect, a clamping support for the closure. The closure can be readily removed from the container either by pivoting it upward, in which case the lower edge of the rear portion II forms a pivot axis, or by sliding the closure longitudinally relatively to the container as illustrated in Fig. 2. Movement of the closure, either pivotal or sliding, is facilitated by a handle I2 which is fixed to the upper side of the closure plate, as illustrated.

In some cases, and particularly where a container having a cylindrical cross section is to be provided with a closure in accordance with the present invention, it may be desirable to provide a longitudinally extending bead I3, as shown in Fig. 1, orga-number of spaced --raised :por-tions,

along the'oute'r surface ofthe wall engaged bylthe flange Il to aid in retaining the closure on the container. As shown in Fig. 1, by spacing the bead or lugs down from the edge of the rear wall 6 slightly, it will be apparent that when the.v

closure is assembled on the container, the lower side of the bead may be engaged by 4the 'edge' of A the flange Il but that when it fis -'desired 'tore-A move the closure from the container, the bead will in no way interfere with either pivotal or sliding motion of the closure.

While this invention has been `illustrated and operation -of this invention and that cylindrical. containers or irregularly shaped containers may.

be-provided with -closures substantially ofthe type described without departing from Ythe spirit or-scope of the present invention. Y

The invention shown and described hereinmay be manufactured or used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes withoutthe payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

11. A closure for a container having mutually perpendicular walls including a back portion f and two end portions of equal -height comprising a nat-'rectangular -member contacting ythe top edges off-saidback .portion and said two end lpor-tions forming the cover of saidA container, avat portion-constructed of resilient-material secured to oneedge of vsaid rectangular -member and-extended-downwardly `at a substantially right angle therefrom to engage corresponding edges of said two end portions vof Vsaid mutually nperpendicular walls substantially throughout theA height: ther-eci in`parallel-relation'throughoutthe varea of contact therebetween, and a portion secured ltof-and extended downwardly 'from -the opposite -edge toi' portion and pluralityof perpendicular wa1lportions` including a back portion'andtwo end por-l tions `of equal height comprising a member contactingthe top edges of said back portion and said -two end portionsvforming the cover of said container, a first portion constructedof resilienti material extending downwardly 21.substa1'1tial-- distance with respect tothe height of saidcontainer at a predetermined angle from one-edge ofsaid cover vmember to engage the outer sur-- face of one of saidwallportionsin parallel rela-1.

tion therewith throughout the area Iof contact therebetween, and a second portion secured to said cover member in diametric relation to said first portion extending downwardly therefrom in spaced relation -with respect to another of said walLportions andterminated in a pivotable contact with the surface of said another wall portion along a line'thereon displaced from said bottom portion by a distance less than the distance between said bottom portion and said one 'edg'epf said cover member.

3. In combination with a container having front, "back andend portions with the front portion-ola height 1less than the height of said back and end portions, a closure for said container adaptedvfto be placed thereon or removed therefromY upon relative angular or longitudinal movement lwithrespect thereto, said closure comprising a plate member adapted to contact the top edges of said back and side portions forming the top of sai'd container, a 'rst portion of resilient material securedto the frontvedge of'said plate meinbenand'extended downwardly ata predetermined 'angle therefrom to engage the outer surface of said front portion, a second portion securedto theV back -edge of said plate member extending downwardly therefrom in spaced relation with respect to said back portion and terminated in contact withsaid-back portion, and a longitudinal'bead secured to said back portion to'cooperate with'the terminated-end of said second portion.

4. A closure for acontainer'having back and end portions'of equal-height and a front portion of a height less' than the height of said back and end portions, comprising va top cover member contacting the top edges 'of said back and end portions,V a front 'cover 'portion constructed `of resilient 'material secured to the front edge of said top cover member and-extendeddownwardly therefrom Aat a predetermined angle to contact the outer surface of said front portion, and a portionsecured to the backedge of said top cover member extending ldownwardly therefrom in spaced `*relation'with'said back'portion and terminated in a pivotable' contact Awith said back portion.

JOSEPH s. 'r'oMcz-AK.y

REFERENCES fortran The .following referencesA are Iof recordinthe file of .this patent:.

UNITED lSTATES .PAI'ENTS Y 'Great'Britain Dec. 22, 1921' 

